The wait is finally over, it’s Autodesk University (AU) time!
For Women in BIM (WIB) this is a global conference which excites many of our Members. We have a fantastic WIB representation at AU this year and we caught up with a few of our Members, Regional Leads and Global Executive Team who are delivering talks, engaging through their booths and attending parties!
AU brings together creatives from architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment, and this years it’s in San Diego from 15 – 17 October. At AU we have also partnered with long-term WIB supporter Global eTraining (GeT) and you will find WIB Global Executive Team Member Lindsay Pritchard-Fox hanging out at the GeT booth (318) over the three days.
Let’s look at what some of our women in BIM had to say and where you can meet up with them at the event.
Northwest Regional Design Technology Manager, Gensler
Fox founder and CEO BuildHappy
VDC Project Manager, Harder Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Head of Digital, WW+P
First we spoke to one of our North America Regional Leads, Argelia Bárcena, an architecture graduate of California Polytechnic State University with an executive education certificate from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Argelia is the Regional Design Technology Manager at Gensler, for its Northwest Region – with a career spanning over two decades in the AEC field, she has been affiliated with renowned global firms, imparted her knowledge to students at three higher education institutions in San Francisco, and authored two books centered on BIM. Did we mention Argelia is an Autodesk Expert Elite!
We asked Argelia what it is that makes AU special:“It is invigorating to be surrounded by brilliant, like-minded people with a passion to innovate. It is about personal and professional growth. Staying at the forefront and contributing to the conversation is essential for continued success. Knowledge, sharing and networking all in one.”
Argelia will be delivering several talks and attending a number of meet-ups at AU, check out where Argelia will be throughout the conference and make sure to reach out and connect. Argelia Bárcena at #AU2024
By combining her extensive training in interior design, 3D laser scanning and Autodesk REVIT software, Lindsay Pritchard-Fox has quickly become a pioneer for utilising BIM in the residential construction space across North America.
Lindsay is part of the Global Executive Leadership Team for WIB and is a committed advocate for technologies and processes that will continue to transform the construction industry. We asked what excites her at AU, Lindsay replied: “AU is definitely a must go for those of us in the industry. AU provides communities such as Women in BIM with an opportunity to connect and further build our network. It’s where I first discovered WIB and I’ve been attending ever since!”
If you want to meet up with Lindsay at #AU2024, you can find her at the Global eTraining booth (318) for schedule WIB meet ups and of course Lindsay will be at the GeT and WIB VIP party on October 16 at the Altitude Sky Lounge.
Abarna Krishnakumar is the WIB Regional Lead for the Phoenix Metro area and VDC Project Manager with Harder Mechanical Contractors. She has empowered women through various volunteering positions, previously as the Women in Technology rep for the Toronto East Chapter of OACETT (the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians & Technologists) in Canada. She has been in the BIM Industry for almost a decade and has witnessed a positive shift in demographics at various AECOO firms. She hopes to share her experiences and lessons learned to continue to empower women to grow in their respective careers.
At #AU2024 Abarna is representing WIB and told us: “Each time I have attended AU, there has always been at least one session that has blown my mind on something new that I would never have expected. By attending this year, I hope to continue to expand my knowledge and network to continue seeing some amazing initiatives and concepts”. Connect with Abarna here and arrange to meet at #AU2024!
Giulia Pustorino is the Head of Digital at WW+P and a Member of the WIB Global Executive Leadership Team. She has a thirst for knowledge and a love of innovative solutions. Giulia has a strong understanding of BIM processed with a background in various design disciplines, perfect for developing long-term visions for the digital built environment.
An Autodesk University enthusiast, Giulia told us: “Autodesk University is an extraordinary event that brings together the brightest minds in the digital sector to share insights and learn from one another. I am deeply honoured to have been invited as a speaker for two years now. I am a firm believer in the power of industry collaboration and the necessity of events like AU to drive innovation forward”.
Giulia is presenting on Wednesday 16 October at 3.00pm PDT, when she will be discussing: London in Dubai: Simulating Climate Change with Autodesk Forma Software’s Microclimate Analysis.
There is so much to see and experience at Autodesk University, we hope you gain new knowledge, insights and connections at this three-day event in San Diego.
